Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, and a rapidly expanding middle class, Brazil’s economy outweighs that of all other South American countries, and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets.

Brazil experienced a decade of economic and social progress from 2003-2013 in which over 26 million people were lifted out of poverty and inequality was reduced significantly (the Gini Coefficient has fallen 6% in 2013 to 0.54).

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Brazil contracted 1.90 percent in the second quarter of 2015 over the previous quarter. GDP Growth Rate in Brazil averaged 0.68 percent from 1996 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 3.90 percent in the third quarter of 1996 and a record low of -3.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008. GDP Growth Rate in Brazil is reported by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE).

Market Research and Statistics on Brazil.

Types of businesses in Brazil that include Limited Liability Company, Joint Stock Company and Individual Company of Limited Liability(PDF)

Brazilian Government Commerce website portal.

You need to register with several different levels of government for many different reasons. This document provides an overview of the key registration requirements that may apply to your business.

Brazilian website for registering your business.

detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Brazil. 

Both foreign individuals and companies may set up a business in Brazil. The general rule is that such businesses may encompass any legal business objective.

The Corporate Tax Rate in Brazil stands at 34 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Brazil averaged 33.16 percent from 1997 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 37 percent in 2000 and a record low of 25 percent in 1998. Corporate Tax Rate in Brazil is reported by the Secretaria da Receita Federal do Brasil.

Personal, corporate and social security tax information.

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Brazil stands at 27.50 percent.

Foreigners resident in Brazil (and all Brazilians as well) are subject to personal income tax known as imposto de renda das pessoas físicas – IRPF. This tax is a Union tax and payment is collected by the Federal Government. 

The Sales Tax Rate (VAT) in Brazil stands at 19 percent.

Brazil has probably the most complex indirect tax regime in the world.  There are various indirect tax regimes, including but not limited to:

Tourist visa requirements

Brazil Visa and Passport Requirements

It is not easy to obtain a work visa and a work permit in Brazil. There are numerous different visa types and they are all linked to certain conditions

Business visa requirements

A summary of all forms of public transportation in Brazil

Ranked as the 9th economy in the world and about to host the 2016 Olympics, Brazil still struggles with transportation problems, as the country’s infrastructure does not seem to follow its economic growth.

Brazil has both modern technologies in the center-south portion, counting with 3G HSPA, DSL ISDB based Digital TV. Other areas of the country, particularly the north and north-west regions, lack even basic analog PSTNtelephone lines. This is a problem that the government is trying to solve by linking the liberation of new technologies such as WiMax and FTTH) only tied with compromises on extension of the service to less populated regions.

Telephone system: general assessment: good working system including an extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations 

Brazilian employees are granted with several benefits: health insurance, meal, transportation and others. Apart from the benefits while they are working, Brazilians still receive some benefits for being unemployed – and for some people, they are even better than being employed.

Brazilian labor legislation is deemed of public order and the rights granted by the same may not, as a general rule, be waived by an employee or denied by the employer. As a result, any rights contractually granted by an employer to an employee (or which result from the employer’s general practice) are in addition to those already provided for by Law.

All employees, self-employed and employers in Brazil are required to make contributions to the social security system. However, as the number of beneficiary rises and the contributions decline, the Brazilian social security is on the brink of disaster.

An introduction to Brazilian employment law

Brazil has made tremendous progress over the last decade in terms of improving the quality of life of its citizens. In recent years, the country has seen a track record of inclusive growth and poverty reduction. 

Brazilian etiquette, business culture, manners, and Greet Hofstede Analysis for Brazil.

US Department of State – Go to Safety and Security for updates from the Brazilian government

Carnaval, the Amazon River and tropical beaches draw visitors to Brazil, the largest country in South American. While a bustling nightlife keeps visitors entertained in Rio de Janeiro and other Brazilian cities, crime is a constant concern.

Sitting within the tropics, Brazil is something of an all-year round destination with temperatures rarely dip below 20°C (68°F), apart from in the mountains and southern regions. The climate varies from hot and dry in the arid interior to humid and sticky in the tropical rainforests of the Amazon jungle. The Pantanal and Amazon areas in the north of the country tend to get very hot during the summer, reaching highs of around 40°C (104°F).

Cost of living information includes price indices for rent, food, utilities, transportation, restaurants, clothing and more

Brazilians are very communicative people, therefore you will probably be invited quite often to business dinners as they prefer face-to-face meetings than written communication. Also they like to know the person with whom they are doing business 

Demographic information includes population, quality of life, health, sports, technology, energy and the environment

Brazil is the fifth largest nation in the world and yes, the largest in South America. It forms an enormous triangle on the eastern side of the continent with a 7,400 kilometers (4,500 mile) coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. It shares its boundaries with all South American countries.

Due to the varying heights above sea level of the Brazil landscape as well as the proximity to the coast, the climate (and, therefore, vegetation and animal life) varies somewhat from region to region. There are five distinct climatic zones.

Certain levels of education are compulsory for all children living in Brazil, while others, such as pre-school and upper secondary school, remain optional.

The Federal Government of Brazil regulates this country’s educational system through the Ministry of Education. The government provides each area with funding and educational guidelines, and the individual states are responsible for implementing and enforcing these. Brazil is equipped with public and private sector schools.

National, holidays and observances plus Carnival days

The subject of Customs Regulations in Brazil involves the control by the federal government and its competent agencies and bodies of foreign trade, such as import and export operations. The entrance and departure of goods to and from the country is duly examined, inspected and controlled by the government.

Although Brazil has made substantial progress in reducing traditional border trade barriers (tariffs, import licensing, etc.), tariff rates in many areas remain high and continue to favor locally produced products. Brazil’s barriers to trade are a cause for concern for the US Government and the European Union (EU), both of whom continue to work through regional trade accord negotiations and at the WTO level to influence tariff and non-tariff barriers. 

Today, I’m going to teach you how to rent any house or apartment you want, even if you’re a foreigner.

This site provides information on housing in Brazil with a comparison between corporate suites and hotels

If you’re travelling to Brazil, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.